USA Bid Receives $2 Million Dollar Donation from MLS Club Owners and Soccer United Marketing

Nov 19, 2010

NEW YORK (Nov. 19, 2010) – Major League Soccer, along with its owners and marketing company, Soccer United Marketing, announced today a $2 million donation to the USA Bid Committee, the single-largest contribution to the non-profit organization created to prepare a successful application to host the FIFA World Cup™ in 2022. MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement today in Toronto with U.S. Soccer President and USA Bid Committee Chairman Sunil Gulati and USA Bid Committee Executive Director David Downs.

“For more than a decade and a half, Major League Soccer has been deeply committed to building soccer in the United States,” said Commissioner Garber. “Our ownership recognizes the enormous value to the League, the sport and our country should we win the bid to host the World Cup in 2022.”

Major League Soccer has been supporting the USA Bid Committee in many ways since it was formed in early 2009. The USA Bid Committee headquarters is located within the MLS league office in New York City, and Soccer United Marketing has provided sales support, marketing expertise and assistance in a wide variety of areas.

“It is an honor and a pleasure to expand our commitment by providing a $2 million contribution to the USA Bid Committee,” Garber added. “This donation will provide additional resources prior to FIFA’s decision on December 2.”

“The generous donation of $2 million is incredible and warmly appreciated, yet it only begins to tell the bigger story of the significant contributions Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing have made in our bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022,” said Gulati. “Not only have Commissioner Garber and other league representatives served dutifully on our Board of Directors, but their assistance in housing and supporting the USA Bid Committee in the New York league office has made a major difference in our ability to focus 100 percent on promoting the bid nationally and globally. To now make this financial investment in our effort is a tremendous gesture, and one that deserves the gratitude of everyone who shares our goal of returning the FIFA World Cup to the U.S. in 2022.”

FIFA’s Executive Committee will name the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments on December 2, 2010, completing a 21-month bid and review process.